Nottingham Forest seek to overturn a one-goal Europa League deficit against a familiar foe who were early champions of the set piece
“I like a bit of chaos and structure both on and off the pitch,” says Midtjylland’s technical director, Kristian Kjær. “Getting the right mix is most important.” Perfecting this balance has enabled the Danish side to thrive in Europe, powered by a global recruitment model and innovation.
Nottingham Forest travel to the MCH Arena on Thursday seeking to overturn a one-goal deficit from the first leg of their Europa League last-16 tie, having also lost to Midtjylland in the group stage this season. This is the furthest the Danish club, founded in 1999, have progressed in Europe. “It must have been insane to be starting the club [just over] 25 years ago and then see where we are today,” says Kjær. “What a ride.”
PHOENIX, ARIZONA - NOVEMBER 02: Devin Booker #1 of the Phoenix Suns attempts a shot against Stephon Castle #5 of the San Antonio Spurs during the first half at Mortgage Matchup Center on November 02, 2025 in Phoenix, Arizona. The Suns defeated the Spurs 130-118. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Chris Coduto/Getty Images) | Getty Images
After a disastrous year last season, the Phoenix Suns were quick to recalibrate their roster in the summer. Moving off aging and injured stars in Kevin Durant and Bradley Beal, bringing in a combination of tough veterans and youthful legs, and the influence of rookie head coach Jordan Ott have all done wonders for a team that was projected to win about 30 games this season. More importantly though, the absence of Durant and Beal has cleared up the ball handling/scoring logjam that Phoenix dealt with last season, leaving the offense largely in the hands of Devin Booker. Though still not a title contender, Phoenix has nevertheless been a fun story this year for the first time since they made the Finals back in 2021.
Meanwhile in San Antonio, a quick 2-0 road trip to California now turns into a quick 2-game homestand for the Spurs. They’re 8-2 in March, with one of the losses being a 5 point loss at home to Nikola Jokic and the Denver Nuggets without Victor Wembanyama in the line-up. With a 60-win season/#1 seed very much on the table and April fast approaching, San Antonio’s young group is coming of age quicker than anyone expected them to, but very much aware of how much work is still left to be done.
San Antonio Spurs (51-18) vs Phoenix Suns (39-30)
March 19 2026 | 7:00 PM CT
Watch: FDSS | Listen: WOAI (1200 AM)
Spurs Injuries:, David Jones-Garcia, OUT
Suns Injuries: Mark Williams, foot (OUT), Dillon Brooks, hand (OUT), Grayson Allen, knee (questionable)
What to watch for
Devin Booker has had another strong season, averaging at least 25 points for the 8th year in a row. His shooting percentages are down a bit, especially from beyond the arc, but he’s making up for it by getting to the charity stripe a career-best 8 times a game (87% FT shooter). Booker can score with the best guys in the NBA and is a willing playmaker. He’s been Phoenix’s main offensive initiator all season, but he’ll face a San Antonio defense tonight that has grown into arguably the best perimeter defense in the league thanks to Stephon Castle, a collection of big, physical wings, and the always-lurking Wembanyama patrolling the paint. Booker played just 9 minutes in the last match-up, a 121-94 San Antonio rout back on February 19th in Austin.
The Phoenix defense ranks 12th per 100 possessions. That’s just outside of the, “elite,” category, but it’s a massive improvement from their dreadful 28th ranking to finish last season. First year coach Jordan Ott has implemented a defensive system built on maximum effort and it can muck up a game for opposing offenses. Phoenix is top 5 in both steals per game and opponent turnovers per game, showing a knack for playing the passing lanes, but the Spurs are amongst the best teams in protecting the ball themselves.
Phoenix’s offense is not only built around the gravity that Devin Booker creates as a dynamic offensive player, but also elite offensive rebounding. They grab nearly 13 offensive rebounds per game, the 5th best mark in the NBA this season, creating tons of extra opportunities for themselves. San Antonio is the best defensive rebounding team in the NBA though, and Phoenix has struggled to dominate the offensive glass margin since Mark Williams was sidelined earlier this month with a stress reaction in his left foot.
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The narrative around Adin Hill has shifted dramatically—and not without reason.
Not long ago, the Vegas Golden Knights netminder was a focal point of fan frustration, his inconsistent play fueling calls for a change in goal. But over the past five games, Hill has delivered a composed and technically sound stretch that has stabilized Vegas in a meaningful way. His recent shutout performance against the Chicago Blackhawks underscored a growing sense of confidence in his game—one that had been notably absent earlier in the season.
This resurgence is not occurring in isolation. Vegas has made subtle but important adjustments to its defensive structure, prioritizing responsibility and puck management in its own zone. The additions of players like Cole Smith and Nic Dowd have helped reinforce a more disciplined, stay-at-home presence. As a result, high-danger scoring chances have been limited, sightlines have improved, and Hill has been able to play with greater composure rather than reacting to breakdowns.
Hill looks more settled, more controlled, and far less exposed.
Ironically, as the defensive side has tightened, the Golden Knights’ offensive consistency has wavered. Earlier in the season, Vegas relied on its ability to outscore mistakes. Now, despite flashes—such as decisive wins over the Pittsburgh Penguins and Chicago—the attack has lacked the same reliability on a night-to-night basis. It has created a role reversal of sorts: where goaltending once lagged behind, it is now helping to mask offensive inefficiencies.
Hill’s recent form matters because it rebalances the identity of this team.
Why This Stretch Matters
For much of the season, instability in net—whether due to injury or underperformance—undermined an otherwise capable roster. Now, with Hill providing dependable minutes, the Golden Knights have a foundation they can trust. While his season-long numbers (a 2.95 goals-against average and .875 save percentage) remain underwhelming on paper, they no longer fully reflect his current trajectory.
It’s also worth remembering that Hill has delivered in high-leverage moments before. During Vegas’s championship run in the 2023 Stanley Cup Final, he stepped in following an injury to Laurent Brossoit and provided stability at a critical juncture. With offensive leaders like Jack Eichel and Mark Stone driving play, Hill’s timely saves helped tilt momentum and ultimately contributed to the franchise’s first title.
That version of Hill—the one capable of elevating his play when it matters most—appears to be re-emerging.
If Vegas can pair this level of goaltending with a more consistent offensive attack, the implications are significant. The Golden Knights may not yet be a fully formed contender, but with improved health and a clearer defensive identity, they are trending toward becoming a far more complete team.
And if Hill continues on this path, the conversation around him won’t just change—it already has.
PORTLAND, OREGON - DECEMBER 28: Jaylen Brown #7 of the Boston Celtics warms up with Jordan Walsh #27 before their game against the Portland Trail Blazers at Moda Center on December 28, 2025 in Portland, Oregon. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Tom Hauck/Getty Images) | Getty Images
BOSTON — Before the Celtics’ season started, Jaylen Brown decided he wanted to get to know his teammates on a deeper level to figure out how to lead them best. He’d long played alongside guys like Derrick White, Payton Pritchard, and Sam Hauser, but now he was eager to better understand what made them tick and how he could communicate with them as effectively as possible.
For Joe Mazzulla, Brown’s relentless pursuit of that question was apparent from the beginning of the year.
“Jaylen’s approach to leadership this year has been getting to know his teammates – understanding how to push his teammates’ buttons, how to understand them better, how to communicate with them better,” Mazzulla said. “It’s something that he’s taken very seriously, his leadership off the court.”
But, the behind the scenes of that process may surprise people. In addition to the time Brown spent simply getting to know his teammates, this year, he also opted to learn and memorize their Chinese and Western zodiac signs, and numerology.
For those unfamiliar, zodiac signs are personality traits based on birth timing. Chinese zodiac signs are based on birth year, and are represented by an animal that indicates one’s personality, while Western zodiac signs are based on birth date, on the position of the sun at the time of one’s birth.
After the Celtics 120-99 win over the Golden State Warriors, when asked about his approach to leadership this season, Brown rattled off each of his teammates’ zodiac signs.
“Neemi, he’s Year of the Rabbit,” he said. “So, his communication is different from D-White, who is Year of the Dog. So, his communication style is different. Hugo is also a Dog. Payton is a Tiger. JT is a Tiger. Ron is a Dragon. Joe’s a Dragon. Nikola, he’s new to our team — he’s Year of the Horse. It’s Year of the Horse right now.”
Jaylen Brown explained how he’s memorized all of his teammate’s astrology and numerology in order to better learn how to communicate with them:
“I learned communication styles that work best for each individual, and started utilizing that when I speak to each and every guy.” pic.twitter.com/GkVfutJcMa
For those wondering, according to Chinese astrology, here’s the significance behind each of those signs:
Rabbits (like Neemias Queta) are gentle and empathetic,
Dogs (like Derrick White and Hugo Gonzalez) are generous, warm, and easygoing.
Tigers (like Jayson Tatum and Payton Pritchard) are confident and competitive.
Dragons (like Ron Harper Jr and Joe Mazzulla) are powerful and ambitious.
Horses (like Nikola Vucevic) are energetic and free-spirited
So, after he learned each teammate’s sign, Brown took it into account when figuring out how to best communicate with them.
“I started utilizing that when I speak to each and every guy,” Brown said. “I didn’t know if it would work before the season started, but that stuff definitely works.”
In addition to Chinese zodiac signs, Brown learned his teammates’ Western zodiac signs. He shared, for example, that Tatum is a Pisces (because his March 3rd birthday falls between February 19th and March 20th). Pisces, according to Western astrology, are known for being empathetic, highly intuitive, and emotionally sensitive.
“I learned communication styles that work best for each individual,” Brown said.
Brown also studied numerology, a belief system that assigns meaning to numbers, especially those connected to one’s birth date and name. Brown and Sam Hauser, for example, are both fives. (In numerology, the number 5 is all about freedom, change, and adventure; those who have a life path 5 hate feeling restricted).
Brown said he got inspired to go down this path after a few friends put it on his radar before the season. And, he feels like the results have been fruitful.
“They kind of suggested it — try to see if it works,” Brown said. “And everybody has a different kind of makeup of who they are and how they approach things. And if you learn a little bit about each person, what makes them tick, you can kind of learn more about how to maximize potential. All that type of stuff added up over the course of the season. And here we are.”
BOTTOM LINE: Utah hosts the Milwaukee Bucks after Brice Sensabaugh scored 41 points in the Utah Jazz's 147-111 loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves.
The Jazz are 12-22 on their home court. Utah is eighth in the Western Conference with 31.8 defensive rebounds per game led by Jusuf Nurkic averaging 7.8.
The Bucks are 12-21 on the road. Milwaukee is 11-8 when it turns the ball over less than its opponents and averages 13.9 turnovers per game.
The Jazz average 117.2 points per game, 1.0 more point than the 116.2 the Bucks give up. The Bucks are shooting 48.0% from the field, 1.0% lower than the 49.0% the Jazz's opponents have shot this season.
The teams meet for the second time this season. In the last meeting on March 8 the Bucks won 113-99 led by 27 points from Giannis Antetokounmpo, while Keyonte George scored 22 points for the Jazz.
TOP PERFORMERS: Sensabaugh is scoring 13.9 points per game and averaging 3.0 rebounds for the Jazz. Isaiah Collier is averaging 13.7 points and 2.1 rebounds over the last 10 games.
Ryan Rollins is averaging 16.8 points, 5.6 assists and 1.5 steals for the Bucks. Bobby Portis is averaging 15.4 points and 5.4 rebounds over the past 10 games.
LAST 10 GAMES: Jazz: 2-8, averaging 112.5 points, 42.3 rebounds, 25.9 assists, 10.0 steals and 4.2 blocks per game while shooting 44.3% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 121.1 points per game.
Bucks: 2-8, averaging 106.3 points, 40.2 rebounds, 25.7 assists, 7.5 steals and 3.1 blocks per game while shooting 46.6% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 119.7 points.
INJURIES: Jazz: Lauri Markkanen: out (ankle), Keyonte George: out (leg), Walker Kessler: out for season (shoulder), Jusuf Nurkic: out for season (nose), Jaren Jackson Jr.: out for season (knee).
Bucks: Kyle Kuzma: day to day (elbow), Kevin Porter Jr.: day to day (knee), Myles Turner: day to day (calf), Giannis Antetokounmpo: out (ankle).
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The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.
Boston Celtics (46-23, second in the Eastern Conference) vs. Memphis Grizzlies (24-44, 11th in the Western Conference)
Memphis, Tennessee; Friday, 8 p.m. EDT
BOTTOM LINE: Boston seeks to continue its three-game win streak with a victory over Memphis.
The Grizzlies are 13-20 on their home court. Memphis is seventh in the NBA with 28.5 assists per game led by Cam Spencer averaging 5.4.
The Celtics are 22-13 on the road. Boston scores 114.4 points and has outscored opponents by 7.4 points per game.
The Grizzlies are shooting 46.0% from the field this season, 1.9 percentage points higher than the 44.1% the Celtics allow to opponents. The Celtics are shooting 46.5% from the field, 1.1% lower than the 47.6% the Grizzlies' opponents have shot this season.
The teams square off for the second time this season. The Celtics won the last meeting 131-95 on Nov. 13. Payton Pritchard scored 24 points to help lead the Celtics to the win.
TOP PERFORMERS: Spencer is averaging 11.4 points and 5.4 assists for the Grizzlies. Jaylen Wells is averaging 14.7 points over the last 10 games.
Jaylen Brown is scoring 28.5 points per game with 7.0 rebounds and 5.1 assists for the Celtics. Derrick White is averaging 17.5 points and 4.1 rebounds while shooting 42.1% over the past 10 games.
LAST 10 GAMES: Grizzlies: 2-8, averaging 116.7 points, 38.1 rebounds, 26.4 assists, 9.8 steals and 5.7 blocks per game while shooting 45.5% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 122.9 points per game.
Celtics: 7-3, averaging 110.9 points, 48.8 rebounds, 25.9 assists, 6.1 steals and 4.2 blocks per game while shooting 44.5% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 103.5 points.
INJURIES: Grizzlies: Santi Aldama: out for season (knee), Kentavious Caldwell-Pope: out for season (finger), Ja Morant: out (elbow), Scotty Pippen Jr.: out for season (toe), Zach Edey: out for season (ankle), Jahmai Mashack: out (ankle), Brandon Clarke: out (calf).
Celtics: Nikola Vucevic: out (finger).
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The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.
New York Knicks (45-25, third in the Eastern Conference) vs. Brooklyn Nets (17-52, 13th in the Eastern Conference)
New York; Friday, 7:30 p.m. EDT
BOTTOM LINE: New York is looking to extend its four-game win streak with a victory against Brooklyn.
The Nets are 12-31 in Eastern Conference games. Brooklyn has the NBA's lowest-scoring offense averaging only 106.4 points per game.
The Knicks are 29-15 in Eastern Conference play. New York is fourth in the league with 12.9 offensive rebounds per game led by Mitchell Robinson averaging 4.4.
The Nets score 106.4 points per game, 4.2 fewer points than the 110.6 the Knicks give up. The Knicks average 14.6 made 3-pointers per game this season, 2.2 more made shots on average than the 12.4 per game the Nets allow.
The teams meet for the fourth time this season. The Knicks won 120-66 in the last matchup on Jan. 22.
TOP PERFORMERS: Michael Porter Jr. is shooting 46.3% and averaging 24.2 points for the Nets. Tyson Etienne is averaging 1.3 made 3-pointers over the last 10 games.
Jalen Brunson is scoring 26.3 points per game and averaging 3.4 rebounds for the Knicks. OG Anunoby is averaging 2.9 made 3-pointers over the last 10 games.
LAST 10 GAMES: Nets: 2-8, averaging 102.4 points, 40.4 rebounds, 23.4 assists, 7.9 steals and 5.5 blocks per game while shooting 43.0% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 116.1 points per game.
Knicks: 7-3, averaging 116.3 points, 48.4 rebounds, 29.9 assists, 8.7 steals and 3.3 blocks per game while shooting 49.1% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 105.2 points.
INJURIES: Nets: Noah Clowney: day to day (wrist), Ben Saraf: day to day (foot), Egor Demin: out for season (foot), Day'Ron Sharpe: out for season (thumb), Michael Porter Jr.: day to day (ankle).
Knicks: Miles McBride: out (ankle), Jalen Brunson: day to day (ankle).
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The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.
Toronto Raptors (39-29, fifth in the Eastern Conference) vs. Denver Nuggets (42-28, sixth in the Western Conference)
Denver; Friday, 9 p.m. EDT
BOTTOM LINE: Toronto seeks to keep its three-game win streak alive when the Raptors take on Denver.
The Nuggets have gone 19-13 in home games. Denver scores 120.7 points and has outscored opponents by 4.2 points per game.
The Raptors are 20-13 in road games. Toronto has an 18-21 record against teams above .500.
The 120.7 points per game the Nuggets score are 8.9 more points than the Raptors give up (111.8). The Raptors are shooting 47.5% from the field, 0.6% higher than the 46.9% the Nuggets' opponents have shot this season.
The teams meet for the second time this season. In the last meeting on Jan. 1 the Nuggets won 106-103 led by 24 points from Peyton Watson, while Brandon Ingram scored 30 points for the Raptors.
TOP PERFORMERS: Jamal Murray is averaging 25.1 points and 7.1 assists for the Nuggets. Nikola Jokic is averaging 26.3 points over the last 10 games.
Scottie Barnes is scoring 18.7 points per game with 7.8 rebounds and 5.3 assists for the Raptors. RJ Barrett is averaging 22.2 points and 5.7 rebounds while shooting 56.5% over the past 10 games.
LAST 10 GAMES: Nuggets: 5-5, averaging 121.7 points, 43.9 rebounds, 29.7 assists, 6.2 steals and 3.1 blocks per game while shooting 49.4% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 119.8 points per game.
Raptors: 5-5, averaging 115.5 points, 40.3 rebounds, 25.7 assists, 8.2 steals and 3.9 blocks per game while shooting 49.1% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 112.0 points.
INJURIES: Nuggets: Aaron Gordon: out (rest), Peyton Watson: out (hamstring).
Raptors: Collin Murray-Boyles: out (thumb).
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The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.
Karl-Anthony Towns has not been shy about letting it be known that he believes he is sacrificing for the team.
Earlier in the season, Knicks coach Mike Brown said that Towns — who got off to a slow start, at least in terms of his efficiency — had the biggest adjustment in the offensive system.
Then about midway through the season, Brown acknowledged that he made some changes to get Towns going.
Towns finally looks comfortable and is playing his best basketball of the season. In 14 games since the All-Star break, he is averaging 20.9 points per game on 58.9 percent shooting from the field and 43.1 percent shooting from 3-point range.
In the 51 games before the break, Towns averaged 19.8 points per game, but on a much worse 46.6 percent shooting from the field and 35.1 percent shooting from deep.
Karl-Anthony Towns drives on Ivica Zubac during the Knicks’ blowout win over the Pacers on March 17, 2026 at the Garden. Charles Wenzelberg / New York Post
“I just wanna be in the spots I’m supposed to be and impact winning,” Towns said after Tuesday’s win over the Pacers. “I’ve been asked to take a different role this year and I’m glad I’m impacting winning and maximizing being the star of my role. Just doing whatever our team needs so that we can be the best version of ourselves, especially right now, we’re getting late in the season where we need to build better standards.”
Over the past five games, he went 9-for-14 from 3-point range, helped by his 5-for-5 showing Tuesday.
Hart’s 3-point efficiency had been the best of his career in the first half of the year, but he struggled badly coming out of the All-Star break.
His ability to be an at least serviceable shooter is important for the Knicks offense, since opponents often put their center on him and sag off him to help on others when he struggles with his shot.
“I think since the All-Star [break], obviously I had been struggling in terms of shooting,” Hart said Tuesday. “I think I’m kind of in my head in terms of a lot of stuff. So I just gotta trust my work, go out there and shoot my shots.”
Jose Alvarado is already tied for fifth on the Knicks defensive player of the game leaderboard despite playing just 19 games with the team. He earned his third recognition for Tuesday’s win.
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - JANUARY 15: Austin Reaves #15 of the Los Angeles Lakers dribbles away from Tyler Herro #14 of the Miami Heat during a 117-108 Lakers win at Crypto.com Arena on January 15, 2025 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2025 NBAE. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) | Getty Images
After successfully claiming back-to-back wins in Houston, the Lakers (44-25) will travel east overnight to take on the Miami Heat (38-31) on Thursday. LA looks to sweep the season series against Miami and extend its current winning streak to eight.
The Lakers are on a roll right now, playing their best basketball of the season. They’re rising to the occasion and peaking at the right time.
Now the question is, how hot are the Lakers truly? Well, we’re about to find out on Thursday as they take on a competitive Heat squad.
This game could be considered one of LA’s hardest games this season. The Lakers will be playing on the second night of a back-to-back against a well-coached team that plays hard, regardless of who is on their roster.
The Heat are coming off two losses in a row, so they’re certainly determined to get back in the winning column, especially since they’re also fighting for a decent position in the Eastern Conference standings.
It’s uncertain who will suit up for the Lakers. There’s a good chance that LeBron James won’t after taking a hard fall and hurting his elbow in Wednesday’s win versus the Rockets. But if Luka Dončić and Austin Reaves suit up for this one, Los Angeles still has a high chance of winning this game. After all, the purple and gold are 9-2 this season when James is out, but Luka Dončić and Austin Reaves play.
Miami ranks 13th in the league in offense and actually has a top-four defense. They rebound the ball very well and average the second-most points per game at 120.2, led by their microwave scorers, Tyler Herro and Norman Powell, who will be suiting up for this one.
It’s going to be tough to win this one, but not impossible for the purple and gold, especially since they’re playing very good basketball right now. If they can outexecute the Heat and continue to stay hot on the offense, they certainly can pull this one off.
Let’s see if the Lakers can remain perfect in their current six-game road trip on Thursday.
Notes and Updates
Since the Lakers will be on a back-to-back, there’s no injury report yet released for this one.
As for the Heat, Terry Rozier (not with the team) and Andrew Wiggins (toe) are out.
Jaime Jaquez Jr. (left hip tightness) is questionable, while Bam Adebayo (right calf tightness) is probable.
CALGARY, Alberta (AP) — Joel Farabee and rookie Matvei Gridin scored in a shootout to give the Calgary Flames a 2-1 victory over the St. Louis Blues on Wednesday night.
Connor Zary scored early in the first period for Calgary, and Devin Cooley stopped 26 shots.
Dylan Holloway tied it for St. Louis early in the second. Joel Hofer made 31 saves.
After Farabee scored in the second round of the shootout to give Calgary a 1-0 lead, coach Ryan Huska turned to Gridin after Jimmy Snuggerud was stopped, and Gridin won it with a shot over Hofer’s glove.
The unlikely star performer of the opening 40 minutes was St. Louis video coach Elliott Mondou, with the Flames having three goals waived off after Blues’ coach’s challenges.
St. Louis had won eight consecutive games against Calgary,
HOUSTON, TX - MARCH 18: Luka Doncic #77 of the Los Angeles Lakers dribbles the ball during the game against the Houston Rockets on March 18, 2026 at the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Michael Gonzales/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
This Lakers-Rockets contest was close in the fourth, but Luka Dončić applied pressure and Houston folded. He had dazzling alley-oop passes to Rui Hachimura and LeBron James and then put the game to rest with one of his signature 3-point shots.
Luka is already considered one of the best players in the world. However, if he keeps this up, he’ll be in the MVP conversation, because it’s hard to argue that anyone is playing better than him.
So, let’s dive into the win. As always, grades are based on expectations for each player. A “B” grade represents the average performance for that player.
LeBron was aggressive from the jump in this game. He attacked the rim and had multiple highlight-reel dunks in the first half.
James was a perfect 8-8 from the field after two quarters, and while he eventually missed a shot in the fourth, it was his elite play throughout the contest that helped the Lakers win.
Smart made his typical impact on the defensive side of the ball. He wasn’t much of an offensive factor, but he consistently made winning plays, which is why he’s solidified himself as the team’s fifth starter.
Let these two games put to rest the silly notion that Clint Capela is anywhere near Ayton’s talent level. Ayton shot 80% from the field, and while his production waned in the second half, it was enough to get LA the win.
Reaves continues to struggle with his shooting, but he contributed by distributing the ball. His desire to be a positive force on the defensive end was also pretty evident. Hopefully, Reaves gets out of this shooting slump soon. The Lakers are better when Reaves is the team’s second-best scorer.
It wasn’t just that Luka put this game on ice, it was the way he did it that made it a memory. He was Luka magic in the fourth, dazzling with his dribbling and putting the exclamation point on this statement win with a step-back three. Luka added some colorful words, letting everyone in Houston know he is that guy.
Hachimura had two big baskets in the fourth when the game was still hanging in the balance. His opportunities may have shrunk, but his impact remains huge.
Grade: C
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Kennard remains one of the players Lakers head coach JJ Redick trusts, and for good reason. He can knock down shots, set a strong screen and run the offense well.
He needs to score a bit more during his time for it to increase, but he was solid in this contest.
Hayes didn’t give the Lakers much in this game. He was essentially just playing to give Ayton some rest. Hopefully, these games aren’t a precursor to the kind of performances he will give this spring.
LaRavia’s minutes have begun to dwindle here in March. His offense isn’t consistent enough, and while his defense is solid, that’s not going to be enough to keep him on the floor. Still, in the fourth, Redick went to him and he had a pretty good shift. If he plays more like that early during games, he’ll get some more run.
Grade: C+
JJ Redick
Redick pushed the right buttons in this game. He went to LaRavia late, and it paid off. His rotations have tightened, and the players have responded well. For the Lakers to beat the Rockets on the road in back-to-back games wasn’t easy, but Redick got it done and deserves credit for that.
VANCOUVER, British Columbia (AP) — Anna Segedi scored her first PWHL goal and the Vancouver Goldeneyes scored twice in the third period to pull away for a 5-2 win over the New York Sirens on Wednesday night.
She collected a pass from Michelle Karvinen and swept a shot in from the low circle 6:48 into the first period to give Vancouver a 2-0 lead.
Anna Shokhina, Sophie Jacques, Tereza Vanisova and Mannon McMahon — into an empty net — also scored for the Goldeneyes. Kristen Campbell stopped 22 of the 24 shots she faced.
Sarah Fillier and Anna Bargman scored for the Sirens, who got 24 saves from Kayle Osborne.
The win snapped a four-game skid and moved seventh-place Vancouver within three points of New York in the standings.
The Goldeneyes were the dominant side to start, peppering Osborne with shots early and outshooting the visitors 12-5 in the first period, but struggled to handle New York’s push in the second. Campbell started her third straight game with Emerance Maschmeyer still day-to-day with an upper-body injury.
The Sirens cut the deficit to 3-2 with Bargman’s goal 13:49 into the second but couldn’t rally to tie the score and have now lost four straight road games. Fillier leads the team in scoring with five goals and 11 assists this season.
Vanisova scored 5:27 into the third with a shot from inside the faceoff circle. Osborne got her blocker in the puck’s path but it bounced up and back, landing in the net to give the Goldeneyes a 4-2 lead.
Shokhina’s first-period goal marked just the second time the Goldeneyes have scored on a power play at home this season. The team is 2 for 23 on home ice.
Up next
Goldeneyes: Close out a five-game homestand Saturday against the Minnesota Frost.
DALLAS, TX - MARCH 18: P.J Washington #25 of the Dallas Mavericks looks to pass the ball during the game against the Atlanta Hawks on March 18, 2026 at American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Glenn James/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
The Dallas Mavericks have been in some familiar matchups over the past few weeks, with the Atlanta Hawks the latest to run it back just eight days after the last time the two teams faced off. Similar to a week ago, the Hawks got a win in a 135-120 decision Wednesday night.
Let’s get to the grades!
Ryan Nembhard: A
8 PTS / 2 REB / 12 AST / 0 STL / 0 BLK – 26 MIN
Nembhard is the toughest grade of the night, seeing as he shot 3-for-7 and was a team worst in plus/minus with a minus-19. That said, a 12:0 assist-to-turnover ratio is outrageous and gives his grade a major bump.
Max Christie: B+
13 PTS / 2 REB / 1 AST / 0 STL / 0 BLK – 30 MIN
Christie is now on a trend of improved shooting, and it’s a welcome site after a funky stretch. He didn’t blow up the scoring column, but was once again efficient (4-for-6). Best of all, his shot selection wasn’t a lopsided three-point exclusive, as he hit both of his two-point attempts and 2-for-4 from deep.
Cooper Flagg: B
17 PTS / 6 REB / 5 AST / 2 STL / 2 BLK – 33 MIN
Flagg had more turnovers (six) than assists (five) which is an area that sometimes swings game-to-game for Flagg, and dinged his grade a bit Wednesday night. Even when he has a hiccup like this, he still manages to contribute a little bit everywhere; and important part of his ever progressing development.
Naji Marshall: C-
4 PTS / 3 REB / 4 AST / 1 STL / 0 BLK – 28 MIN
Wednesday was not the night we’ve become accustom to from Marshall. He hit only 2-for-10 from the floor and his other contributions were all he could do to stay out of the grade basement.
P.J. Washington: A-
23 PTS / 9 REB / 1 AST / 0 STL / 2 BLK – 30 MIN
Washington-as-center doesn’t seem like it should work, but it has been. Washington has had the best little run of games at least since returning from injury a few weeks back. Getting this level of production from a non-center in the center position is a good night. Washington connected on 7-for-14 shots from the floor.
Klay Thompson: B-
19 PTS / 0 REB / 1 AST / 1 STL / 0 BLK – 20 MIN
While not the greatest from downtown (3-for-9), Thompson had a fine enough shooting night overall (5-for-11), chipping in a solid point total if not much else.
Daniel Gafford: A
24 PTS / 8 REB / 0 AST / 0 STL / 1 BLK – 22 MIN
Gafford looks like the player Mavs fans fell in love with back in 2024. Wednesday night was his season high in scoring in a game he basically could not miss (9-for-10). Like Christie, Gafford has strung together a nice run of productive games, making more than the most of conservative minutes.
Final Thoughts
The game wasn’t especially competitive, but at this point in season like this, the focus tends to shift to how healthy guys are, who is rounding back into form and some of those other little things. The Los Angeles Clippers, and the Memphis Grizzlies beat the Denver Nuggets, so if you’re interested in an improved draft standing, the Mavs at least won big in that regard.
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ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) — Noah Cates scored on a deflection off goalie Lukas Dostal's skate at 2:17 of overtime and — after a review for offsides on the play — the Philadelphia Flyers beat the Anaheim Ducks 3-2 on Wednesday night.
Pacific Division-leading Anaheim forced overtime on Leo Carlsson's goal with 1:54 left in regulation.
Dan Vladar made 34 saves to help Philadelphia rebound from a 2-1 shootout loss to Columbus at home Saturday night. The Flyers are six points behind Boston and Detroit for the two Eastern Conference wild-card spots.
Luke Glendening had his first goal of the season and Owen Tippett also scored for Philadelphia. Trevor Zegras was held off the scoresheet in his first game in Anaheim since his offseason trade. He scored twice in Philadelphia’s 5-2 home victory over the Ducks on Jan. 6.
Cutter Gauthier also scored for Anaheim, and Dostal stopped 24 shots. The Ducks beat Montreal 4-3 on Sunday night to finish 2-2 on a Canadian swing.
Ducks defenseman Radko Gudas served the third game of a five-game suspension for kneeing Auston Matthews in a loss at Toronto on March 12. Matthews tore the medial collateral ligament in his left knee and will miss the rest of the season.
Defenseman John Carlson played his second straight game for the Ducks after a trade-deadline deal with Washington. His Anaheim debut was delayed by a lower-body injury.
Glendening opened the scoring at 2:50 of the first period, his first goal in 57 games this season with New Jersey and Philadelphia. Tippett made it 2-0 at 7:53 of second with his 23rd of the season. Gauthier cut it to 2-1 on a power play with 38 seconds left in second with his 35th goal of the season.
Philadelphia's Nick Seeler fought Jansen Harkins in the third period.
